The defense of the New Orleans Saints has largely used the same scheme since 2016, but the offense is undergoing a schematic change. Dennis Allen, the Saints’ coach, has been in charge of the team since 2015, but he has acknowledged that the defense has changed in urgency and mindset this summer.
Tyrann Mathieu, Cameron Jordan, and Demario Davis are in charge of the defense. The three defensemen with the most awards are also the oldest. There are many well-known players on this Saints defense in addition to Marshon Lattimore, who will be greatly depended upon. However, there are also less well-known individuals who will hold significant authority in 2024. These three underappreciated players will be crucial to New Orleans’ success in 2024.
Jordan Howden
Last season, Jordan Howden, a fifth-round rookie, filled in for Marcus Maye when he was injured. Howden recorded five pass breakups, a forced fumble, a sack, and 37 total tackles in the seven games he started.
During training camp and the preseason, Howden and Jonathan Abram are vying for the safety slot next to Mathieu. However, Howden is listed ahead of Abram in the initial unofficial depth chart for the Saints. Abram, who is preparing for his sixth NFL season, hasn’t started more than ten games since the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. Howden ought to accept this position, but that is not a given.
The main area of uncertainty in a respectable New Orleans defensive backfield is strong safety. If Howden improves in his first campaign, New Orleans may have one of the NFL’s top defensive back groups.
Nathan Shepherd
Barring injuries, Nathan Shepard quietly started 17 games for the Saints in 2023 and may continue to do so in 2024. Thus far in training camp, the 30-year-old defensive tackle has shown promise. He recently finished his first season as a full-time starter with a career-high 3.5 sacks and 50 total tackles.
Jordan, Carl Granderson, Chase Young, and other defensive ends are taking center stage during camp. However, Shepherd is strong against the pass as well as the rush. If the Saints hope to finish in the top 5 of that metric as they did before 2022, he and Khalen Saunders will have to be the defensive line’s cornerstones in the run game.
Willie Gay
Willie Gay gets excited about playing in this defense with Davis and Pete Werner whenever he speaks to the media. With New Orleans, the two-time Super Bowl champion is excited to start in three-linebacker sets. Although he participated in more than 70% of the defensive snaps for the Kansas City Chiefs just five times during the regular season, he started fifteen games for the team in 2023.
Gay was one of the early standouts in his debut training camp with New Orleans. Compared to his Kansas City days, he ought to play a more significant part with the Saints. As the SAM linebacker, he takes Zack Baun’s place. During the previous season, Baun’s usage for New Orleans was low. However, when the defense deploys two-linebacker sets, Gay should be able to compete with Werner for playing time thanks to his strength, agility, and adaptability. In 2024, Gay might establish himself as Davis’ backup at second linebacker.
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